Wire-stretcher.



No. 810,659. PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

B. MARKEY.

WIRE STRETC APPLICATION FILED M 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD MARKEY, OF HAYS, KANSAS.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed March 9, 1905. Serial No- 249,298.

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to wire-stretchers; and 1ts object is to provide a simple device of this character adapted to grip the wire automatically and retain the same while wire is being stretched past the part sought to staple to and the holding of the tension of said wire at the will and Without further labor of the operator while the same is being stapled.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a lever having a curved extension at one end provided with a series of teeth, and projections are formed upon one edge of the lever and any one of them is adapted to be engaged by a link to which is pivoted a wire-gripping device. This link is so conformed as to automatically contract the gripping device when the same is drawn in one direction. The invention also consists in further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the preferred form of my invention.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the position of the tool subsequent to the operation of stretching a wire, said tool engaging the wire in such a manner as to hold it against movement even though the same is not grasped by the operator. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tool, showing the first position assumed by it during the stretching operation; and Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a lever of any suitable length, preferably provided with a longitudinallyexteriding slot 2 in one end, as shown in Fig. 3, for the reception of the ends of wires when it is desired to splice the same. Arranged at the other end of the lever is an integral curved extension 3, the end portion of which has a series of teeth 4 thereon. Projections 5 extend rearwardly from the lever at points adjacent the extension 3, and a link 6 is adapted to be placed between any two of these pro= jections. This link surrounds the lever and its forward end is angular, as shown at 7, and is loosely engaged by the ends of spring-arms 8. These spring-arms are connected and constitute a wire-gripping device. The two arms are curved so as to produce a substantially hook-shaped gripping device, their point of connection constituting the point of the hook. The arms 8 are formed of spring metal and their apertured ends are normally spaced apart. The angular end of the link 6 is so shaped, however, as to automatically v draw these ends together when pulled upon by the link, and therefore the two arms will be tightly clamped upon a wire or other object contained therebetween. When it is desired to use this tool for stretching a wire, the curved extension 3 is placed upon a post so as to partly encircle it, and link 6 is adj usted so as to assume a position between any two of the projections 5. The wire is then inserted between the arms 8 and said arms are slid along the wire the desired distance. This first position of the parts has been illustrated in Fig. 2. The lever 1 is then drawn backward with the fence-posts 9 as a fulcrum, and the arms 8 will be promptly drawn together by the angular end 7 of link 6 and will clamp the wire therebetween, thereby causing said wire to move with the lever. By swinging the lever 1 around the post for a suflicient distance one or more of the teeth 4 on the extension 3 can be caused to automatically engage the Wire. As the wire is thus engaged by the tool at opposite sides of the post it will be seen that the grasp upon the tool can be relinquished and the entire efforts of the operator can then be given to properly fastening the wire to the post. After the wire has been secured by means of a staple 10 or other suitable securing device the tool can be released by depressing the curved extension, so as to release the teeth from the wire, and the gripping device 8 will relaxits hold on the wire and drop from the same.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by tion of a Wire to the lever between the eXten- 10 Letters Patent, ission and the handle.

AWire-stretcher comprising alever having In testimony whereof I have signed my a handle; an integral curved post-engaging name to this specification in the presence of extension at one end and having integral two subscribing Witnesses.

ratchet-teeth thereon for successively auto- BERNARD MARKEY. inatically engaging the tightened portion of a Witnesses:

Wire during the stretching operation, and J. C. ADKINS,

means for adjustably securing the loose por- M. P. DINGES. 

